Rotary engine



No. 752,604. PATENTED FEB. 16, 190.4. E. F. TAYLOR. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION P'ILBD JAN. 13, 1904. no MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 752,604. v v P'ATENTBD FEB. 16, 1904. E. F. TAYLOR.

ROTARY, ENGINE.

APPLICATION I'ILED.JAN.13. 1904. 7 NO MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 wumvbozNo. 752,604 PATENTE11PEB.l6,1904.

E. r. TAYLOR. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1904.

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Patented February 16,1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN F. TAYLOR, OF NEW DECATUR, ALABAMA.

ROTARY ENGINE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 752,604., datedFebruary 16, 1904.

Application filed January 13,1904. Serial No. 188,869. (No model.)

To alZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN F. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Decatur, in the county of Morgan and State of Alabama,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In an application for patent filed by me August 22, 1902, Serial No.120,718, I have shown, described, and claimed a rotary engine having awheel driven by the kinetic impact and reactive forces of a motive fluidwhich is adiabatically partially expanded in advance of the applicationof each of said forces, whereby the velocity of the wheel is broughtwithin rotary engine equipped with a reversing mechsafety limits.

In a divisional application for patent filed by me October 9, 1903,Serial No. 176,368, I have shown, described, and claimed a rotary engineembodying the above-stated adiabatic principle and consisting of aseries of wheels against each of which is directed an equal amount ofenergy of the motive fluid.

My present invention relates to a reversing mechanism which whilecapableof utilization in connection with rotary engines generally is designedmore especially for use with my improved type of engine containing theseries of wheels. The improved reversing mechanism'is therefore shown asapplied to the engine forming the subject-matter of mydivisionalapplication above referred to, although such showing is not to beregarded as a' limitation; and it is further understood that thereversing mechanism hereinafter set forth may be variously modifiedwithout exceeding the scope of the concluding claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sec tional view of a portion ofa multiple-wheel anism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is across-sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and tarerespectively side and front views of one of the nozzle-carrying disks.Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of a portion of a wheel and adjacentchamber, showing the parts for effecting rotation in one direction.

to fasten the parts together.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing parts of the same wheel for effectingreverse rotation. Figs. 7 and 8 are views of divided chambers betweenthe wheels. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 1.Fig. 101$ a detail view, partly broken away, of the govaforwardly-extending flange 7 bolted to the casing-head 8 and having areduced outer portion 9 confined between said casing and head, bolts 10,passed through flanges of the casing and head and through said portion9, serving In the ring are circular openings 11, in each of which isrotatably confined a disk 12, having its inner face flush with therearface of the ring and having aflange 13 entering an enlargement ofsaid opening. Each wheel 2 is provided in its rim portion 14 with twoconcentric sets of vanes or buckets 15 16, separated by an imperforatering portion 17, between which and the ring no clearance is provided,whereby the two sets of vanes or buckets have no intercommunication. Thevanes mayall have the concavo-convex form shown; but the outer set ofvanes 16 have their concave surfaces facing a direction opposite tothatof the concave impact surfaces of the inner set of vanes 15. (See moreparticularly Figs. 5 and 6.) The imperforate ring portion of the firstwheel of the series travels centrally across the disks 12 withoutclearance, and each of said disks is provided at one side of its centerwith a section 18 of an adiabatic line or curvefluid-port, whichportfhereinafter termed nozzle-section) may have its diverging wallsformed by the material of the disk or may be asepa rate tube insertedin' an opening provided therefor in the disk, as desired. Thenozzlesection, in which the fluid is adiabatically exthe chamber beingformed by a ring 6, having panded, extends through the disk at an angleto the axis of the latter and discharges the motive fluid deliveredthereto from the chamber 4 against the inner set of vanes to revolve thewheel in one direction, the discharge end of said nozzle-section beingin the path of movement of said vanes. The inner and outer sets of vanesare disposed equidistantly from a line central of the series of disks,and by giving the disks a one-half revolution the nozzle-sections arebrought into the path of the outer set of vanes with their inclinationreversed to revolve the wheel in the opposite direction. By this simpleact of turning the disks in their bearings the discharge ends of thenozzle-sections are brought into the path of either of the two sets ofvanes, dependent upon the desired direction of revolution of the shaft,and in turning a reversal of the inclination of the nozzle-sections isaccomplished, whereby equal 'efliciency is obtained regardless of thedirection of running. Obviously any number of disks equipped withnozzle-sections may be provided, dependent upon the power to beexercised on the vanes. The means employed for turning the disks is alsosimple. One-half of the periphery of the flange 13 of each disk isprovided with gear-teeth 19, which mesh with similar teeth 20, formed inthe inner side of a gear-ring 21, rotatably confined in the chamber 4 atthe re- .duced portion of the ring 6. In the outer side of the gear-ringare teeth 22, meshing with a mutilated pinion 23, suitably journaled onthe casing and equipped with a lever 24, by which it is partiallyrotated to revolve the disks through the medium of the gear-ring. Thedescribed parts are constructed to obtain a limited and simultaneousmovement of the disks, preferably one-half a revolution, whereby theproper disposition of the nozzle-sections with reference to the sets ofvanes is always assured.

Between the rim portions of the wheels 2 2 are annular chambers 25, eachreceiving partlyexpanded fluid from an adjacent wheel and delivering thesame for further expansion into other nozzle-sections at the next wheel,it being understood that the several nozzle-sections at the severalwheels constitute practically complete adiabatic line or curvefluid-ports in which complete adiabatic expansion of the fluid isobtained. In one wall of the chamber are channels formed by fixed vanes26, disposed at an angle to the wheel-vanes, and thus providingreaction-surfaces whereby the adjacent wheel, which travels across saidvanes without clearance, is revolved by the combined impact and reactiveforces of the fluid. The fluid e11- tering the chamber through saidchannels discharges therefrom, through diverging nozzlesections 27 inthe opposite chamber -wall, against the vanes of the next wheel with anequal amount of energy, and so onthroughout the series of wheels, theexhaust occurring after complete expansion is accomplished. Each chamberis divided by a ring-partition 28 into two inner and outer chambers,each of which has its own inlet-passages formed by the fixed vanes andits own discharging nozzle-sections. The ring-partitions are inalinement with each other and with the imperforate ring portions of theseveral wheels. Consequently the inner and outer sets of vanes of thewheels are respectively in register with the inner and outer sections ofchambers 25. Fluid discharged from the nozzle-sections in the disksagainst the inner set of vanes to rotate the shaft in one direction istherefore compelled to pass through the several inner chamber-sectionsand against the several inner sets of vanes, whereas if the disk isturned to effect the reversal of the engine the fluid is compelled totraverse the outer chambers and to impact against the outer sets ofvanes. Practically no clearance is provided between the rim portions ofthe wheels and the chamber-walls and leakage of the fluid from one setof wheel-vanes to the other set is avoided. As a further safeguardagainst leakage, how ever, I employ fluid-packing annular grooves 29 inthe chamber-walls, into which grooves travel annular ring-tongues 30,carried by the wheels. By this provision leakage such as described isabsolutely prevented, any fluid or vapor entering between the tongue andgroove serving as a packing to prevent the passage of the fluid from theinner to the outer set of vanes, and vice versa.

As a means for governing the supply of fluid to the nozzle-sections inthe disks I employ a ring-valve 31, which is mounted in the fluidchamber4: to be rotated across the series of disks and is provided with aninner series of converging openings 32, 33, 3e, and 35, registering withthe inner set of vanes 15 and inner intervening fluid-chambers, and withan outer series of converging openings 36, 37, 38, and 39, registeringwith the outer vanes and chambers. The openings of each series willconform in number to the number of disks employed, although, forexample, I have limited the number of openings in each series to four,which is the number of disks selected for the purpose of illustration.The inner and outer openings are in pairs, respectively located at thedisks, and the inner and outer openings of each pair are so disposed(see Fig. 10) as to bring one or the other in register with thereceiving end of the nozzle-section in the disk, dependent upon theturned position of said disk. For example, with the disk in the positionshown in Fig. l the receiving end of the nozzle-section is in registerwith the inner opening 32, whereas when the disk is given a one-halfrevolution the receiving end of the nozzle-section is brought intoregister with the outer opening 36, and this change in position occursthroughout the entire series of disks. By so disposing thevalve-openings the receiving ends of the nozzle-sections are always inregister with one set of openings, the other set being out of registeruntil the disks are turned as described. The openings of the severalpairs increase in area, being elongated in the direction of movement ofthe ring-valve, whereby the nozzle-sections in the disks aresuccessively closed and opened to regulate the quantity of fluid to beadmitted to the wheels. For example, if the openings 32 36 are eachone-eighth of an inch in diameter the next openings, 33 37,will beone-eighth of an inch longer, the third pair three-eighths, and thefourth pair one-half an inch. If, therefore, the valve is rotated toclose the first three nozzle-sections, the fourth nozzlesection willstill be open, and a further movement of the valve a distance ofone-eighth of an inch will be required to completely out off the fluidfrom the wheels.

Any suitable means may be employed for rotating the ring-valve to closeand open the nozzle-sections. A convenient means consists of a shortshaft 40, journaled in a packed bearing 41 in the head 8, which shafthas at its inner end a crank 42, connected with the ringvalve by a pin43. The shaft has at its outer end a crank 44:, to which is pivoted oneend of a rod 4C5, the other end having flexible connection with a lever46, raised and lowered by the action of a ball-governor 47, geared tothe shaft 3. To enable the adjustment of the ringvalve by hand tocontrol the supply of fluid, I connect with the rod 45 a hand-lever 48and equip the same with suitable hand-released locking means, such asshown at 49. Vertical movement of the rod 45 by hand or by the action ofthe governor effects the partial rotation of the ring-valve through themedium of the crank-shaft, it being understood that the governor isdisconnected when hand adjustment is desired. It will be observed thatby the use of the hand means for controlling the nozzle-sections therunning of the engine can be brought'to the desired speed withoutthrottling the fluid at the throttle-valve. In this way full pressure inthe fluid-chamber is always maintained, with the consequent economy andmaximum efficiency of the fluid. Moreover, the hand means employedenables a control of the energy at the wheels not attainable byadjustment of the throttle-valve or equivalent means. Condensation ofthe fluid, with the consequent reduction in weight, is prevented by theuse of a fluid chamber or jacket 50, which envelops the engine-casing.To control the expansions of the fluid in its passage through the engineand obtain an equal velocity of the fluid at each of the wheels, Iprovide in the inner and outer sections of the chambers 25 fluid-pocketsformed by partitions 51, Figs. 7 and 8, which pockets correspond innumber and positions to the number and positions of the initialnozzle-sections. If the ring-valve is, for example, moved to cover thefirst three of the nozzle-sections, leaving the fourth uncovered, thepartially-expanded fluid discharging from said fourth nozzle-sectionexerts its energy through change in entropy on the first wheel andenters the pocket in the chamber corresponding in position to the fourthnozzle-section, the first three pockets registering with the first threenozzle-sections being blocked off by the partitions of the pocket inuse. These pockets vary in size with each succeeding wheel. Consequentlythe proper partial expansion is obtained in the several nozzle-sectionsand an equal amount of energy is exerted on each wheel. The fluid istherefore controlled by the size of the pocket, which size is inproportion to the volume of fluid which has exerted its energy on theprevious wheel.

I claim as my invention 1. In a rotary engine, a moving part havingoppositely-facing sets of impact-surfaces, and an element having afluid-port said element being revoluble to present'the port to either ofsaid sets of impact-surfacesl 2. In a rotary engine, a moving parthaving oppositely-facing sets of impact-surfaces, and a revoluble diskhaving a fluid-port at an angle to its axis and adapted to present saidport to either of said sets of impact-surfaces.

3. In a rotary engine, a moving part having two oppositely-facingconcentric sets of impact-surfaces, and a revoluble disk the center ofwhich is midway between the paths of movement of said sets of surfaces,said disk having at one side of its center a fluid-port extending at anangle to its axis, and means for revolving the disk to bring thedischarge end of the port in the path of either set of impact.-surfaces.

4. In a rotary engine, a wheel having inner and outer concentric sets ofvanes the surfaces of one set facing a direction opposite to that of theother surfaces, an imperforate portion between said sets, a disk thecenter of which is midway between the paths of movement of said vanes,said disk having at one side of its center an adiabatic line or curvefluid-port section extending through the disk at an angle to the axis ofthe latter, teeth on the disk and a movable rack meshing with said teethand adapted to partially revolve the disk to bring the discharge end ofthe port-section in the path of either set of vanes.

55. In a rotary engine, a series of wheels each having inner and outerconcentric sets of vanes, a main fluid-chamber at the first wheel, innerand outer fluid-chambers between the wheels respectively registeringwith the inner and outer sets of vanes, a disk at the first wheelcarrying a fluid-port, and means for rotating the disk to bring the portinto the path of either set of vanes.

6. In a rotary engine, a series of wheels each having inner and outerconcentric sets of vanes, a main fluid-chamber at the first wheel,

inner and outer fluid-chambers between the wheels respectivelyregistering with the inner and outer sets of vanes, a revoluble disk inthe main chamber mounted with its axis between the sets of vanes ofthefirst wheel said disk having at one side of its axis a fluid-portextending at an angle to said axis, and means for revolving said disk tobring the discharge end of the port in the path of either set of vanesof the first Wheel. I

7. In a rotary engine, a series of Wheels each having inner and outerconcentric sets of van es, inner and outer fluid-chambers between thewheels respectively registering with the inner and outer sets of vanes,a series of revoluble disks at the first Wheel each having at one sideof its center a fluid-port adapted to be brought into the path ofmovement of either set of vanes in the first wheel, means forsimultaneously revolving said disks, and partitions in the chambersdividing the same into pockets which are respectively in line with thedisks.

8. In a rotary engine, a wheel having inner and outer concentric sets ofvanes, a disk having a fluid-port and adapted to be revolved to presentthe port to either set of varies, and a valve at said disk forregulating said port.

9. In a rotary engine, a wheel having inner and outer concentric sets ofvanes, a disk having a fluid-port and adapted to be revolved to presentthe port to either set of vanes, and a ring-valve having an openingadapted in the rotary movement of the ring valve to be brought into andcarried out of register with said port.

10. Inarotary engine, a wheel having inner and outer concentric sets ofvanes, a plurality of revoluble disks each having an inclined fluid-portat one side of its axis said port adapted to discharge against eitherset of vanes, a revoluble ring-valve having inner and outer openingsarranged in pairs one pair for each disk, and means for moving saidvalve.

11. In a rotary engine, a wheel having inner and outer concentric setsof vanes, a plurality of revoluble disks each having an inclinedfluid-port at one side of its axis said port adapted to dischargeagainst either set of vanes, a revoluble ring-valve having inner andouter openings arranged in pairs one pair for each disk, the area ofsaid pairs of openings increasing consecutively, a governor connectedwith said valve, and hand means for operating the valve independently ofthe governor.

12. In a rotary engine, a series of revoluble W. R. How, W. A. BIBB.

